BRAZIL: Inauguration

At Rio de Janeiro, capital of the United States of Brazil, a republic larger than the 48 states of the

U. S., there was inaugurated last week, President Washington Luiz, until recently Governor of the Brazilian State of Sao Paulo.* As President Luiz took the oath of office, before the Chamber and Senate in joint session, he became the eleventh Chief Executive of Brazil since the Brazilian Empire was overthrown in 1889. Brazilians and Portuguese reflected last week, with opposite emotions, that the King of Portugal was also King of Brazil until famed Dom Pedro, son of King Joao VI of Portugal, was chosen “Constitutional Emperor and Perpetual Defender” of Brazil in 1822. His son, Dom Pedro II, reigned as Emperor from 1831 until the Republic was established (1889). Platform Promises which President Luiz must now attempt to fulfill: 1) stabilization of the milreis (worth 12.25 cents, par 32.45 cents) at a rate slightly below that favored by the retiring President, Dr. Arturo da Silva Bernardes; 2) construction of good roads throughout Brazil, an activity pioneered by President Luiz when State Governor of Sao Palo; 3) relief of the present serious coal shortage.

Inaugural Unrest. No sooner was Senhor Luiz installed at the Presidential Palace, presumably to remain there until 1930, than 400 troops in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul mutinied, and necessitated the despatch of 1.000 federal troops to quell them. Skirmishing continued throughout the week, and recalled the virtual war waged by retiring President Bernardes during 1924-25 against various perpetually rebellious factions in the provincial states. The Government announced last week with regret that in view of this fresh mutiny the “state of siege” declared at Rio de Janeiro in 1924 to permit censorship of the press and detention of political suspects will be continued indefinitely.

*Area 95,400 square miles, more than the combined area of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire. Population 4,600.000 ; more than that of any state of the U. S. except New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois and Ohio.